Most cacti are easy to grow. With a little love and the right kind of attention, they will quite literally bloom

Just for this week we are hosting an article by Julian Hinton, a member of the British Cactus and Succulent Association, on the prickly subject.

Mr Hinton writes:

Most cacti are easy to grow. With a little love and the right kind of attention, they will quite literally bloom.

Once they start to flower, which can be as early as three years from seed, they should continue to do so every year.

Some of the best cactus genera for flowers are Echinopsis, Echinocereus, Gymnocalycium, Mammillaria and Rebutia.

Cacti are fairly tolerant of neglect, although they will succumb to rot if over-watered.

The main growing period is April to September when a good watering regime is essential.

The best method is to water the pot thoroughly and then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again after perhaps seven to 14 days.

It is vital they are not allowed to stand in water for long periods. Excess water should be allowed to drain through and then be discarded.

The commonly-held belief that cacti should be watered little and often is a myth.

Cacti grow best in full sun in a south-facing aspect, provided they have good ventilation and are given adequate water.

During the winter, most cacti are dormant and should be kept completely dry.

Watering should be reduced from the beginning of October and stopped by the end of the month.

No further water is required until the second half of March. Exceptionally, if plants are kept indoors at high temperatures, a small amount of water may be given to prevent the plant from shrivelling.

Protection from the cold is paramount. Although some species will tolerate temperatures below zero if they are completely dry, a minimum of 5°C is safer. Some require 10°C.

It is important to note that the ubiquitous so-called Christmas and Easter cacti should be treated completely differently.

These should be watered year-round and not allowed to dry out, although over-watering will still be fatal.

If these plants fail to produce flowers, from August onwards place them in a room not used in the evenings so that they are not exposed to artificial light. This will usually cause buds to form, at which time they can be moved back to their usual spot and flowering should commence.

The Reading branch of the British Cactus & Succulent Society meets at Chapel Hall, Loddon Bridge Road in Woodley on the third Saturday of each month, excluding August and September. There is usually a guest speaker.